The Scarlet Letter is a historical fiction novel set in the mid 1600s, set in a Puritan colony in Massachusetts. The novel follows the story of Hester Prynne, a woman who must wear a scarlet “A” on her breast as a punishment for committing adultery, as she had ended up giving birth to an infant as a result of an affair, her husband not in the country at the time she had conceived the child. The novel follows Prynne as she is shamed by her community as she nurtures and cares for her growing daughter, and also explores the stories of Chillingworth and Dimmesdale, two men who play a significant role in Prynne’s story.
With themes such as society, sin, guilt, and even female independence explored in a mid 1600 setting, Hawthorne crafts a story that is as eloquent as it is riveting. The Scarlet Letter especially makes an interesting read for those who enjoy more complex and allegorical messages.
Review Written by Elizabeth, 12th Grade